When Saints players arrived at their first practice under interim coach Darren Rizzi on Wednesday, they were met with a series of noticeable changes—most notably, their lockers had been rearranged. Rizzi also shook up the pre-practice routine, moving offensive and defensive players to opposite sides of the field and switching their jersey colors.
“We want things to feel a little bit different,” Rizzi said, explaining his goal of creating a fresh atmosphere and keeping everyone alert after taking over for Dennis Allen, who was let go following a seven-game losing streak.
Rizzi, formerly the special teams coordinator, has brought in Marwan Maalouf to assist with those duties while he takes on broader responsibilities. He also restructured the defensive coaching staff to cover Allen’s previous role as defensive play-caller, appointing Todd Grantham as a senior adviser to defensive coordinator Joe Woods, while Brian Young assumed responsibility for the defensive line.
The offensive staff, led by Klint Kubiak, remains unchanged. Rizzi’s adjustments were part of a broader effort to instill a renewed sense of energy, with quarterback Derek Carr noting Rizzi’s focus on shaking things up, including encouraging players to change their seats during meetings.
Rizzi, a former head coach at his alma mater Rhode Island, reflected on his coaching journey and guidance from mentors like Bill Parcells and Sean Payton. Now leading the Saints, Rizzi is determined to prove himself over the final eight weeks of the season. “I’m ready for the challenge,” he said, expressing pride in leading the team and gratitude for support from his family.
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